The ALLM parameterization of sigma_{tot}(gamma* p) has been updated by using all published F_2 data to determine its parameters. The fit yields a chi^2/ndf of 0.97 for the 1356 data points. The updated ALLM parameterization, ALLM97, gives a good description of all the available data in the whole x and Q^2 range studied so far (3\times10^{-6} < x < 0.85, 0 \le Q^2 < 5000 GeV^2).
